Building Trust through Music Diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula

George Washington University Institute for Korean Studies

December 17, 2018, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Mr. Won Hyung Joon is a world-renowned South Korean violinist and peace activist working toward an inter-Korean orchestra comprising musicians from North and South Korea. Mr. Won recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on November 2, 2018, with the DPRK’s Korea Performing Art Exchange Society, which falls under the country’s Ministry of Culture. The first historical joint performance will be held at the Jeju Arts Center in South Korea on December 30, 2018. As the founder of Lindenbaum Orchestra, Mr. Won has been working on the prospect of creating an inter-Korean youth orchestra for the past nine years. In this special event sponsored by the GWIKS, Mr. Won will first perform Beethoven's Romance No.2, op.50, Estrellita (My Little Star) by Ponce, and Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen. After the recital, Mr. Won will share his vision of how to reconcile differences between the Koreas through the power of music and build trust through music diplomacy in achieving harmony and peace on the Korean peninsula. The evening will conclude with a short Q&A with the audience.

This event is open to the public free of charge. However, reservations are required.This event is on the record and open to the media.

Speakers

Hyung Joon Won is a South Korean violinist widely recognized for his musicianship and national activism. A child prodigy, Won gave his first solo performance with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra at age 10. Before enrolling at Juilliard, he won numerous competitions such as the Kingsville International and New York Philharmonic Festival. Won has worked with a number of world-renown orchestras as a soloist, including the Hong Kong Pan Asia Philharmonic, Massapequa Philharmonic and the Marrowstone Festival Orchestra. In 1990, Won proudly represented South Korea when he performed at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland. The forum, which celebrated the 1990 reunification of East and West Germany, inspired Won to think of music as a medium of reconciliation. In 1996, he performed at the UN General Assembly Hall under the theme World Peace. Such performances strengthened his resolve to leverage his musical career for the reunification of North and South Korea. Artistic Director with the Lindenbaum Festival Orchestra.

Jisoo M. Kim (Moderator) is the Director at GW Institute for Korean Studies​​​​​​.